because life is short ...and God gave us steak

Pina Colada Monkey Bread

Holy schnikes look what I made! Seriously LOOK at what I made! Look at it!! LOOOOOK!!!!!

Unbelievable how good this is. Yes food police, I used Grands! biscuits. Sometimes, a girl’s gotta splurge, and this is my post-triathlon splurge anyway so I earned it! I’ll eat salad tomorrow ….and the next day. Or not. But at the moment, I am sucking this glaze off my fingers.

So last week I shared my Calabacitas con Elote with Brown Rice and Quinoa as my triathlon-prep food for my tri yesterday. Check out this picture my daughter got of the sunrise at the tri. …Yep, I get my own personal pho-to-graph-errr for these events. It’s awesome.

By the way, I had to bike and run over that bridge. And back.

The tri went well – to be honest, this one was a mixed bag …we swam all wavy-like over the course because there were too few buoys to guide us, so the swim was much longer than it should have been. The bike was ok – the first 5 miles were slick, so that’s where I got behind. I just need tons and tons of improvement there because at any little friggin obstacle, I freak the hell out. But at least I’m very very happy with my new bike. …And the run was what the run always is …painful. Overall this race was, I think, the toughest yet for me mentally. My body was fine – everything was working including both knees, but my brain kept trying to talk me into quitting. Most of the bike portion, I honestly thought I was dead last. …But I wasn’t. And this is precisely why I do triathlon. Because it is hard. It is beyond hard. And I’m not fast, but I finish. And doing something this hard and making it to the end leaves a satisfaction that is simply indescribable.

So, my next tri is in 2 weeks. My first Half Ironman is in 3 months. I have a ton of work to do. But I am taking the day to savor how far I’ve come. …before my knee surgeries 2 years ago, I couldn’t run around the block. Ever. And what better way to celebrate than with a kicked-up sweet treat 🙂

OK, so this yummy, sticky, monkey bread! This bread is my idea of perfect. I don’t have much of a sweet tooth, but this sweet pull-apart bread is friggin awesome. Maybe it’s the pineapple. Maybe it’s the coconuttiness. Maybe it’s the rum. It’s probably the rum, but it’s also definitely the sticky glaze that brings it all together. You neeeeeed to make this! Cuz it will make you happy.

Sprinkle 1 tablespoon sugar into the buttered bake dish, round cake pan, or whatever cooking vessel you are using. Transfer 1/2 of the biscuit-pineapple mixture to the pan. Sprinkle over another 2 tablespoons sugar. Layer the rest of the dough balls. Finish with a final sprinkle of 1 tablespoon sugar. Bake at 400F for 25 minutes until puffed, very golden, and cooked through.

While the monkey bread is cooking, distribute the flaked coconut in a layer on a rimmed bake sheet and put in the oven to toast 5 minutes until golden. Watch the coconut or it will burn. Remove the coconut from the oven and set aside while the bread finishes cooking.

In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, remaining 1 tablespoon coconut milk, and 1T rum.

Once the bread is done, invert immediately onto serving plate to get it out of the pan. Serve with the glaze drizzled and the toasted coconut sprinkled over. Serve immediately.

Notes

As written, this recipe makes enough for my family of four to munch on during a lazy Sunday afternoon during a football game. If I ever make this for a party or occurrence with more people, I will definitely double the recipe.

Congrats on the tri! I have only ever driven over that bridge haha You are amazing and that photo of the causeway is beautiful! Kudos to your daughter! What a delicious way to celebrate – yummmm

http://thatskinnychickcanbake.com Liz

I am a huge coconut fan and this monkey bread is calling my name. A couple half marathons nearly killed me, so I’m completely in awe of what you’ve done!

http://www.eazypeazymealz.com Rachael Yerkes

Hahaha, I am looking, and I can’t stop, and my mouth is watering, and I am drooling. And now I want to go make it too!

http://recipesfoodandcooking.com Mary Ellen

I can’t even imagine doing a triathlon! I admire those who do. This looks like a wonderful recipe to celebrate with. Love the photos!

http://www.thefoodieaffair.com Sandra Shaffer

Rum? Oh, yeah! Great flavors in this monkey bread! Better than the traditional in my opinion. Congratulations on your tri! You gotta feel so proud!!

http://www.adishofdailylife.com Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

Congrats on your 2nd place finish!! I’m impressed by you triathlon folks. The swim makes me nervous. My husband used to do them…I think he will again once the kids are out of the house…too hard with their sports these days. I only run.
Anyway, this looks amazing, Erica! Pinning and stumbling!

http://www.themagicalslowcooker.com sarah @ the magical slow cooker

You are a genius! I’ve got to make these for my co-workers! Thanks for the awesome recipe Erica.

http://www.thefrugalfoodiemama.com Carrie @Frugal Foodie Mama

Oh my goodness! So, I want this… like right now, lol! Can you believe that I have never made a monkey bread before?? This just might have to be my first one! 😉
And congrats on the finish! And I am in awe…

http://www.reneeskitchenadventures.com Renee’s Kitchen Adventures

Congrats on the race! and what a very fun take on Monkey bread!

http://flavormosaic.com Michele @ Flavor Mosaic

You had me at Pina Colada!

http://www.ingoodflavor.com Thao@ingoodflavor

I love all things coconut. This is a great idea for monkey bread!

http://www.fromvalerieskitchen.com Valerie | From Valerie’s Kitchen

Well, after all that, you can eat this whole thing yourself! Wow, I’m super impressed! I run but I can’t imagine swimming, biking, AND running back to back like that. You are awesome! This bread is also pretty darn awesome 🙂

http://www.grumpyshoneybunch.com shelby

I would dare say that you earned your splurge! Congrats on your triathalon!

http://www.dizzybusyandhungry.com Kristin @ Dizzy Busy and Hungry!

Congrats on the triathlon! That is incredible! You more than earned this delicious treat!

http://www.carlsbadcravings.com Jen

Congratulations on your triathlon! and an Iron Man?!! you are my hero! -that and the fact that you used Grand’s biscuits in this monkey bread – I love Grands 🙂 I love everything about this from the coconut to the pineapple – major yum!!!

http://www.ahealthylifeforme.com Amy @ A Healthy Life For Me

Congrats on your hard work and success with the triathlon! I have done a few marathons, can not imagine doing a triathlon that is a whole different level of fitness (plus I am a crummy swimmer) The cake looks delicious, I love pina colada so I know this cake will make me very happy!

http://www.lifewithgarnish.com Adrian

Congrats on the tri! I couldn’t imagine doing one…well that’s all I wanted do, IMAGINE:) Can’t get my fat butt in gear to exercise AT ALL:( This pina colada monkey bread looks awesome! That I can do!

that looks delicious! I have to make some Monkey Bread…its on my to do list!

http://milkandbun.com Mila

HI Erica! Thanks for sharing such recipe; the bread looks so tasty and can imagine its wonderful taste! 🙂
Cheers!

Jen

Congrats on the triathalon! I love the looks of the monkey bread but am wondering if you have any recommendations for using a homemade biscuit recipe (will pretty much any one do?) or could I use a bread dough? Thanks! LOOOOVE your recipes, by the way; the “crack” bread has become a favourite for entertaining.

http://designsbymissmandee.blogspot.com/ Mandee Thomas

Wow, this is seriously making me drool 😀 Pinned! Thanks so much for sharing at the Create & Share Link Party. Hope to see you again tomorrow night (7:00 PM MST)! http://designsbymissmandee.blogspot.com/

http://www.adishofdailylife.com Michelle @ A Dish of Daily Life

Drooling. This bread looks absolutely amazing and I am wishing I had some right now! Pinning and and scheduling a share on my Facebook page tomorrow. Thanks so much for linking up with us at Foodie Fridays…I alway love your recipes so much!!

http://www.simplelivingeating.com/ Diane Balch

Congratulations on your tri. Now I know how you can look so great eating these incredible desserts. Pinned this. Thanks for bringing it by Weekend Bites.

http://www.thespeckledpalate.com Erin @ The Speckled Palate

Oh my goodness, Erica! Congratulations on the triathlon and ROCKING IT! That’s so exciting and amazing that you do events like this… and that you’re training up for a half-ironman! As a runner, I admire people who can swim, bike, then run. I don’t know if I have it in me. 😉

Also, this recipe looks absolutely amazing and like a fantastic congratulations present for yourself post-race. Seriously. I hope you ate a significant amount of it. Visiting from last week’s #thatsfreshfriday link-up! Love this recipe, and I hope to see you back with us tonight and this weekend!

Sandra C

I don’t have rum. What can I use instead?

http://ericasrecipes.com Erica

Hi Sandra, I have only make this recipe using rum, but I did a quick google search for substitutes and one site recommends pineapple juice with a little vanilla. That sounds like a good suggestion to me, but I have not tried it myself. This monkey bread is so tasty, hope you can try it!

Welcome! I'm Erica ...wife, mother, and scientist, passionate about triathlons and pizza. Join me on my quest to enjoy all things food - both healthy and indulgent. After all, life is about balance right?